Signal disabling device

ABSTRACT

A signal disabling device for a carrier identification signaling plate used in a conveyor system is described herein. The disabling device of the present invention has a base, a signal indicia mounting means pivoted in the base and held against spring force in a first signal operative position by a latch on a lever. When the lever is tripped, the indicia mounting means is unlatched and is automatically moved into a second inoperative position.

United States Patent Richard E. Nearman Mount Airy, Md. 775,883

Nov. 14, 1968 May 25, 1971 Eaton Yale & Towne Inc. Cleveland, Ohio lnventor App]v No, Filed Patented Assignee SIGNAL DISABLING DEVICE 7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

1111.01 B65g 43/00 Field of Search 198/38, 40; l86/1(.2); 214/60 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,986,420 1/1935 Webb etal 198/38 3,023,878 3/1962 Forsthoff et al. 198/38 3,144,926 8/1964 Edelman 198/38 Primary Examiner-Evon C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-Douglas D. Watts Attorney-Littlepage, Quaintance, Wray & Aisenberg ABSTRACT: A signal disabling device for a carrier identification signaling plate used in a conveyor system is described herein. The disabling device of the present invention has a base, a signal indicia mounting means pivoted in the base and held against spring force in a first signal operative position by a latch on a lever. When the lever is tripped, the indicia mounting means is unlatched and is automatically moved into a second inoperative position.

mmmm 3580.382

SHEET 1 UF 2 FIG. 2

M h '30 l H I l/ INVENTOI RICHARD E. NEARMAN ATTORNEYS SIGNAL DISABLING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As materials handling equipment becomes capable of performing more functions without direct human supervision, the need for article or carrier coding devices becomes more important. In many materials handling conveyors, it is important to remotely detect the existence of particular cars, carriers, or articles'at particular points in the system. Many coding and detecting devices and systems have been developed for that purpose. In some systems it is important that the presence of a car, carrier or article be detected only once. Such is the case in a storage system in which the carriers and articles may be stored on a closed loop conveyor and may pass the same detecting station or similar detecting stations more than once in the storage portion of a cycle. It is desirable to detect that a particular device or that a particular number of devices are present in the storage loop. At the same time, it is undesirable to detect a particular device more than once as that would give an improper indication of the number of devices that were in the storage loop.

There is a need therefore for identification disabling apparatus which will, upon being activated, reposition the coding or signal indicia so that it will not be detected by remote detectors, for example, detectors adjacent conveyor tract in a closed loop system. I

A need for code disabling devices is present in a continuous.

.loop system in which articles are mounted on hangers which are directly connected to a chain; As carriers move around a circuit, they are loaded and unloaded. After loading, a code is set on each carrier to indicate the desired discharge station for unloading the carrier. Unloading is automatic in response to the readable code which is mounted on the carrier. As the presence of a carrier with a correct code is sensed at a discharge station, discharge apparatus empties the carrier. Carriers proceed around the circuit and are again loaded and their codes are appropriately reset.

Not all of the carriers are loaded on each pass. Unused carriers are identified by the last code, and empty carriers are operated on by discharge apparatus at the code-designated station, notwithstanding that no goods are carried. Needless operation, noise, and equipment use occurs in the discharging operations performed on empty carriers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Method and apparatus for disabling a signal device once it has been read are described herein. Briefly described, the device has three main elements, a base which may be the car, carrier or article on which the device is mounted or which may be a separate element for mounting on the car, carrier or article. The second element is a signal carrying means which is mounted on the base for movement from a readable position to a disabled position. The third element is an actuator which is movable in the base to first and second positions which are related to the first and second positions of the signal mounting element.

Although the preferred embodiment of this invention has two positions for the actuator and for the signal mounting element, the actuator and mounting element may be arranged so that each element has several positions which are related to several positions of the other element. Specifically the actuator may move or allow the mounting element to move into a second position where it may be read by a second detecting device which is unable to read the signal in the first position of the mounting element.

In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, a base comprises a channel-shaped member having apertures in the web portion of the channel to mount the base on a car, carrier or article. Parallel lugs extend perpendicularly outward from the web adjacent one end of the channel. An actuator lever is mounted on a pin which extends through the lugs. A second pin extends through the flanges of the channel near an end of the channel-shaped member remote from the lugs.

The second pin is parallel to the first pin, and a second channel-shaped member is mounted on the second pin. In the preferred embodiment, the flanges of the second channel extend inward between the flanges of the first channel, and the web of the second channel is disposed opposite the web of the first channel to form a generally box-shaped cross section. The second channel is a signal mounting means, and it has two apertures in the web to mount the signal or coding apparatus. A latch bar extends between the two flanges of the second channel at a point near the longitudinal end of the channel remote from the second pivot pin.

The actuator-lever has a first end which is remote from the first channel and a second end which extends into the first channel. The second end is inwardly notched, and the notch cooperates with the latch bar to hold the second channel member inward within the first channel member. A wire spring is looped around the second pivot pin and opposite ends of the spring abut the first and second channel members so that the second channel member pivots outwardly about the pin when the lever is tripped.

An additional spring is looped around the first pin, one end of the spring engages the lever and the other end of the spring abuts the base. Thus, the lever is urged by the second spring into latching engagement with the signal mounting means. As the assembly is moved forward, the first outer end of the lever is struck by a detent which trips the lever and allows the mounting means to fly outwardly to position the mounting means and the signal thereon in a disabled position.

The system of the present invention employs a continuous loop conveyor. Articles on carriers are moved along the conveyor. A code is associated with each carrier, and that code is unique for a class of carriers which will be emptied in the same area. A detecting device adjacent the conveyor reads the code for each carrier and senses when carriers are present which are intended for discharge at a particular station. Upon sensing the desired carrier, the detector controls the operation of a switch to move discharge apparatus.

After the carriers have passed all of the discharge stations, an obstruction in the path of the lever trips the lever, unlatching the signal mounting means and permitting the coding device to rotate approximately into a position where it may not be read by detecting means. Although the storage portions of the system have been referred to as storage loops in the present description, the loops may be straight line or curved conveyors or rails.

If the carrier is loaded, the code device is latched into operative position when the code is set. Unloaded carriers with disabled coding devices continue through the circuit without actuating discharge apparatus.

The method and apparatus of the present invention have use in many conveyor systems; they are particularly useful, for example, in power-and-free conveyor systems which permit carriers to move continuously around a loop or in which input and output conveyors may be identical. In both systems it may be desirable to count articles and to count them only once. Therefore, it is important to disable a code once an article has been counted. In a system with a single main conveyor, it is important to disable the code'so that removing an article from a storage loop, the article will not be sensed as incoming by detectors adjacent the single inflow and outflow track.

Although the embodiments shown herein describe the coding device as being pivoted about a vertical axis between first and second positions, it will be obvious that the first and second pins may be oriented so that actuating the lever will release the mounting means to rotate the signal or code device about a horizontal axis. In such an embodiment, the code device would be readable in either or both of its positions. In one position the device would be visible to horizontal detecting apparatus. In the other position, the coding device would be readable by vertical detecting apparatus, for example, light sources and photocells mounted above the track.

The present invention is partially described by an embodiment in which the tripping of a lever releases the signal or code mounting means for spring-urged movement to another position. Similar benefits may be obtained by a device which employs cam'surfaces between an actuator and code mounting means to provide the force necessary to move the mounting apparatus between positions, whereby moving the actuator moves the code mounting means from a first to a'second position.

One objective of this invention is the provision of conveyor identification signal disabling means which is suitable for holding an identification means in a first position for communicating with the reading means and then repositioning the identification means sothat it is unreadable by the reading means.

Another objective of this invention is the provision of a signal disabling means for mounting on a car, carrier or article which has a two-position element for mounting identification means.

This invention has as a further objective the provision of a disabling device having a base, a mounting means and a release means holding the mounting means in the first position against spring force, whereby tripping of the release means allows the mounting means to be moved to a second position.

Another objective of this invention is provision of a conveyor system which comprises the several steps of loading a carrier, identifying a carrier by code, reading the code, discharging articles from the carrier in response to the reading of the code, and disabling the code so that it may not be reread.

This invention has a further objective the provision of a method for disabling a carrier identification comprising reading identification on a two-position element on the carrier, moving a lever on the two-position element against a block, tripping the lever and moving the element into a second identification disabling position in response to the tripping of the lever.

Further objectives of this invention will be apparent from this specification which includes the claims and from the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THEDRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of a conveyor carrier having an identification means connected to the carrier by a two-position identification disabling element.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the disabling element.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the element, showing its operation.

FIG. 4 is a perspective detail of the disabling device.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the operation of the device.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of an automated system which employs the disabling device, showing the steps in the operation of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to FIG. 1, a conveyor track is generally indicated by the numeral 1. In one embodiment, carrier 2 is mounted on trolley 3 which moves along track ll. The disabling device which is generally indicated by numeral 5 is' mounted on carrier 2. Signal plate 7 carries selectively positionable reflective elements 9, by which a coded identification of the carrier may be preset in a conventional manner.

After the preset code of identification patches 9 has been sensed by a conventional detecting apparatus which is not shown, it may be useful to disable the code plate so that it cannot be again read until a definite resetting step occurs. As carrier 2 moves forward along track one in the direction shown by arrow 10, lever ll 1 of disabling device 5 is tripped by an obstruction 12.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the disabling device is generally indicated by numeral 5. A channel-shaped base por tion has a vertical web 16 and upper and lower horizontal flanges I8. Two central holes in web ll6 provide for the mounting of the base to a carrier or to an appropriate car or article. Parallel flanges 19 extend outwardly and perpendicularly from web 16 near one lateral end of the web. Pin 20 extends through the lugs 19 and lever 11 is mounted on pin 20 for rotation about the pin relative to base 15. Lever 11 has a first end 22 which is remote from base 15. A second end 24 of lever 11 projects into base 15 and has an inward facing notch 26 which is part of a latch mechanism. Pin 30 is supported between flanges 18 of base 15 near ends of the flanges which are remote from lugs 19. Identification mounting member 32 is rotated on pin 30. Member 32 is a channel-shaped member with a web 34 and upper and lower flanges 36. Pin 30 extends through holes in the flanges 36 so that mounting member 32 may rotate around the pin. A latch bar 38 is fixed between flanges 36. Latch bar 38 cooperates with notch 26 in lever 11 to hold channel member 32 inside of channel member 15. Spring 40 is looped around pin 20 and has one end partially surrounding lever 11 and another end abutting the back of web 16 to urge lever 11 and notch 26 into latching arrangement with pin 38. A spring 44, which is best shown in hidden lines in FIG. 2, is looped around pin 30. Opposite ends of spring 44 bear against web 16 of base 15 and web 34 of mounting member 32 to urge the mounting member to pivot outward from the base about pin 30. When lever 11 is moved in the direction shown by arrow 46, such as by abutment 48, bar 38 is released and mounting member 32 and the identification plate 7 rotate around pin 30 as shown in phantom line in FIG. 3 to a position about 90 away from the original position of the mounting member 32 in plate 7. In the second position, the indicia upon the plate cannot be read by the conventional detecting apparatus.

A schematic representation of the operation of the disabling apparatus is shown in FIG. 5. Carriers 50 move along track 52 in a direction shown by arrow-54. A lever on the disabling device is represented by the numeral 56. 58 represents the plate upon which the reflective patches are mounted. As the carriers move past detector 60, light rays from the detector are reflected back to the detector when a carrier passes with the appropriate arrangement of reflective patches on plate 58. As the carrier passes abutment 62, the abutment trips lever 56 releasing plate 58 to move outward under the force of a spring. When detector 64 is passed, plate 58 is oriented in such a direction that the indicia thereon may not be sensed by the detector. The carriers and disabled coding devices continue on the track until the plates are intentionally returned to operative position.

In the system schematically shown in FIG. 6 an input conveyor is generally indicated by the numeral 70. Carriers 72 move along conveyor 70 in a direction shown by arrow 74. As the carriers 72 with their indicia carrying plates 73 are loaded, the carriers are coded to preselect discharge stations at which the carriers will be unloaded. Detector senses whether a precoded and preselected carrier and identification plate is present. If an appropriate coding is sensed, detector 80 causes apparatus to operate and to unload carrier 72. As soon as all unloading stations have been passed, levers 82 are tripped by abutment 84 allowing the identification plates 78 to spring to an unreadable position. As carriers 72 are reloaded, the identification plate 78 is latched in readable position before resetting the code to select a discharge station. If carriers 72 again pass detector 80 without having been loaded and reset, the presence of the previously triggered empty carriers 73 will not again be sensed by detector 80. Consequently, no unloading operation is performed on the empty carrier 73.

Although this invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that several modifications and variations may be made without departing from the teachings of the invention. The scope of the invention is precisely defined in the following claims.

lclaim:

l. Conveyor identification disabling apparatus comprising: a base; an actuator mounted on the base for movement with respect thereto, the actuator having a first end remote from the base and a second end adjacent the base, the second end of the actuating means defining a first latch means; identification signal means movably connected to the base at a position remote from the actuating means, the mounting means further comprising a second latch means cooperating with the first latch means of the actuator, first resilient means urging the actuator into latching contact with the second latching means on the signal mounting means, and second resilient means urging the signal mounting means to move with respect to the base away from the actuator into an identification signal disabling position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base has mounted therein first and second spaced pins, wherein the actuator comprises a lever connected to the first pin, wherein the signal mounting means is connected to the second pin.

3. Conveyor identification disabling apparatus comprising: a base; first and second spaced pins mounted on the base; a lever mounted on the first pin on the base for movement with respect thereto, the lever having a first end remote from the base and a second end adjacent the base, the second end of the lever having a notch; identification signal mounting means movably connected to the base on second pin at a position remote from the lever, the mounting means further comprising a latch means cooperating with the notch of the lever; a spring urging the lever about the first pin into latching contact with the latching means on the signal mounting means, and resilient means urging the signal mounting means to move with respect to the base away from the lever into an identification signal disabling position.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the latching means comprises a bar parallel to the first pin mounted on the signal mounting means, whereby the spring urges the notch of the lever into engagement with the bar to hold the mounting means against force of the resilient means in a first signaloperative position.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the resilient means comprises a second spring having turns about the second pin and having ends terminating against the base and against the mounting means for urging the mounting means toward a second signal-inoperative position when the lever is moved against the force of the first spring to release the bar from the notch.

6. The method of disabling a conveyor identification comprising mounting an identification plate upon a carrier in a first position, moving the carrier along a track, moving the conveyor past a detecting station, sensing a code on a carrier identification plate, moving the carrier past an abutment and bringing a lever on the carrier into contact with the abutment, moving the carrier identification plate into a second inoperative position with respect to the carrier, and continuing to move the carrier along a track.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising a secondary step of loading the carrier, and further comprising after the detecting step the step of unloading the carrier before tripping the lever. 

1. Conveyor identification disabling apparatus comprising: a base; an actuator mounted on the base for movement with respect thereto, the actuator having a first end remote from the base and a second end adjacent the base, the second end of the actuating means defining a first latch means; identification signal means movably connected to the base at a position remote from the actuating means, the mounting means further comprising a second latch means cooperating with the first latch means of the actuator, first resilient means urging the actuator into latching contact with the second latching means on the signal mounting means, and second resilient means urging the signal mounting means to move with respect to the base away from the actuator into an identification signal disabling position.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base has mounted therein first and second spaced pins, wherein the actuator comprises a lever connected to the first pin, wherein the signal mounting means is connected to the second pin.
 3. Conveyor identification disabling apparatus comprising: a base; first and second spaced pins mounted on the base; a lever mounted on the first pin on the base for movement with respect thereto, the lever having a first end remote from the base and a second end adjacent the base, the second end of the lever having a notch; identification signal mounting means movably connected to the base on second pin at a position remote from the lever, the mounting means further comprising a latch means cooperating with the notch of the lever; a spring urging the lever about the first pin into latching contact with the latching means on the signal mounting means, and resilient means urging the signal mounting means to move with respect to the base away from the lever into an identification signal disabling position.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the latching means comprises a bar parallel to the first pin mounted on the signal mounting means, whereby the spring urges the notch of the lever into engagement with the bar to hold the mounting means against force of the resilient means in a first signal-operative position.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the resilient means comprises a second spring having turns about the second pin and having ends terminating against the base and against the mounting means for urging the mounting means toward a second signal-inoperative position when the lever is moved against the force of the first spring to release the bar from the notch.
 6. The method of disabling a conveyor identification comprising mounting an identification plate upon a carrier in a first position, moving the carrier along a track, moving the conveyor past a detecting station, sensing a code on a carrier identification plate, moving the carrier past an abutment and bringing a lever on the carrieR into contact with the abutment, moving the carrier identification plate into a second inoperative position with respect to the carrier, and continuing to move the carrier along a track.
 7. The method of claim 6 further comprising a secondary step of loading the carrier, and further comprising after the detecting step the step of unloading the carrier before tripping the lever. 